Professor Thomsen's office is currently in Old Main as he continues his three year appointment as Associate Dean of the Faculty.

Education

B.A. Luther College, 1977
Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1981

Research

My current research focuses on mechanistic organic chemistry.

One project involves the photo-acid catalyzed formation of acetals from substituted benzaldehydes (Reaction 1). The effect of groups (X) on the rate of the reaction should provide information about the reaction’s mechanism.

Another project is directed at understanding the mechanism of the photo-Cannizzaro reaction of dialdehydes using different light sources and isotopic labeling with deuterium.

Finally, linear free energy relationships associated with the electro-philic bromination of different anilides in various solvent systems should provide insight about this classic reaction’s mechanism.